La Thuile between ski slopes, alpine trails and border history

La Thuile between ski slopes, trails and border history

La Thuile brings together several distinct travel interests: winter sports, trails through alpine landscapes and historical traces at the crossing between Italy and France. For ski enthusiasts, the Espace San Bernardo ski area, with 152 kilometres of slopes, is a central attraction. Espace San Bernardo also connects Italy and France with a shared international ski pass.

Hiking and cycling with different focuses

Away from the ski slopes, La Thuile also offers various ways to explore the surrounding area actively. The Museo a Cielo Aperto di La Thuile comprises 15 sightseeing routes for trekking and three e-bike routes. You can explore the open-air museum on foot, by bicycle or by e-bike, independently or with the assistance of a guide.

For mountain biking, La Thuile offers the Natural Trail Area and the Bike Park, with a total of 170 kilometres of mountain biking routes and trails. Those who prefer hiking will find several trails around Lago Verney with varying levels of difficulty. The lake lies at an altitude of 2,088 metres, covers more than 20 hectares and is one of the largest glacial lakes in the region.

Lago Verney and the Cascate del Rutor

Lago Verney can be reached by car from La Thuile when the Passo del Piccolo San Bernardo is open. This condition is part of the practical planning for a trip to the lake. The Cascate del Rutor are also located near La Thuile: three waterfalls fed by the waters of the Rutor Glacier.

The hike to the Cascate del Rutor follows alpine trails and old mule tracks. It includes an iron bridge offering a view of the third waterfall.

Historic trails at the Passo del Piccolo San Bernardo

La Thuile is also connected to the Cammino di Saint Martin di Tours. This trail begins in La Thuile and leads to Saint-Germain di Séez in France. Around the Passo del Piccolo San Bernardo, the Trekking nell'antica storia route also runs as a circular trail more than two kilometres long. It passes Celtic cult remains, former Roman mansiones, sacred columns, medieval hospices, traces of wars and historical finds dating back thousands of years. The route is therefore suitable for anyone who wants to experience the historical layers of the landscape directly along the trail while hiking.

Maison Musée Berton

The Maison Musée Berton preserves the appearance of an elegant residence in the Aosta Valley. The rooms have been preserved as the owners furnished them. They contain books, ceramics, sculptures, prints and marquetry furniture. Together with the historical routes and trails at the pass, this museum offers another tangible way to access the region's cultural history.

Other places in the region

For further travel planning, you can also discover Verrayes, Roisan, Gratillon, Oyace, Gressoney-La-Trinité, Aosta, Brusson and Torgnon.

For the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.